May 16, Kailali – The ‘Sudurpashchim Kachahari, 2083’ program has commenced in Dhangadhi. Organized by the Sudurpashchim Development Foundation and coordinated by the Provincial Policy and Planning Commission, the two-day event was inaugurated by Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah of Sudurpashchim Province. Chief Minister Shah emphasized the necessity of focusing on employment and income generation opportunities for youth to build a prosperous Sudurpashchim.
He underlined the importance of utilizing the province’s available potentials, stating that despite limited resources, clear and actionable plans are indispensable to address the needs of the people. The Chief Minister highlighted ongoing challenges such as poverty, unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, unequal access to education and health services, youth migration, and difficulties in policy implementation within the province. “The discussions and resulting outcomes are expected to provide policy reform recommendations to the government,” he remarked.
Former Chief Minister Rajendra Singh Rawal noted that although Sudurpashchim possesses sufficient potential, the province has yet to make significant progress toward prosperity. He expressed confidence that the program will assist in promoting the province’s potential at national and international levels.
Former Minister Naresh Shahi explained that the program aims to highlight Sudurpashchim’s dignity, historical heritage, and identity. According to him, there will be policy debates on education, health, tourism, agriculture, employment, infrastructure, safe migration, and good governance to formulate a shared development vision. Shahi also indicated that the recommendations from this program would be integrated into the upcoming fiscal year’s budget and policy-making processes and called upon the central government to implement them.
Dr. Ritesh Shah, a professor from Kumaun University in India, expressed his commitment to assist in promoting the potentials of Sudurpashchim.
Sher Bahadur Shahi, Chairperson of the Sudurpashchim Development Foundation, stressed the importance of linking debates and discussions to policy reforms and underscored the need to seek solutions through dialogue. He shared the view that clear vision, integrity, and collective responsibility are essential for development.
Dr. Jeevan Rana, Vice-Chairperson of the Provincial Policy and Planning Commission, briefed attendees about the Second Five-Year Plan. Following the inaugural session, various thematic sessions began, focusing on Sudurpashchim’s potentials, prosperity, federalism practices, challenges, and reforms. The program brought together representatives from federal, provincial, and local governments, private sector, banking and financial institutions, civil society, media personnel, and experts.
